Tarsar Marsar lake trek, encircled by the peaks of Kolhai Mountain

Overview

Region :- Kashmir

Duration :- 7N/8D

Grade :- Easy

Max Altitude :- 13,500 Ft.

Approx Trekking Km :- 33 Kms.

Tarsar Marsar Lake Trek is one among the highly opted treks of the Kashmir valley. It is a trek encompassing a journey to the two beautiful twin lakes, Tarsar and Marsar, encircled by the peaks of Kolhai Mountain.

The twin lakes are renowned from 16th Century during the period of the ruler of Kashmir, Yusuf Shah Chak. The lakes are notable for its almond form separated by a mountain, identical in nature and are placed in the Aru District of Jammu and Kashmir. Both the lakes flow into opposite directions, the former change of integrity with the Lidder stream of Lidderwat and the later to the other side of Aru. Apparently, the Dachigam national park is in vicinage to the Marsar Lake.

What makes the Tarsar Marsar Lake trek so favourable?

Tarsar Marsar lake

What makes the Tarsar Marsar Lake trek so favorable is that the serenity that presides over the surroundings? The gorgeous Aru, a shade of the Jammu and Kashmir valley makes the expedition a peaceful and nurturing journey; a journey, though won’t be highly fanciful however positively peace rendering.

About the trek, it’s a trek of moderate level which can be traveled by any nature lover. The trek’s highest Peak that’s possible is 13, 000 ft. The lakes are encircled by beautiful alpine trees and therefore the experience is even a lot of commendable throughout the summer when the alpine flowers form a radiant glowing sheet reflecting on the water. Also, the other traceable floras include blue poppy, Meconopsis betonicifolia, geum, gentian, and Hedysarum alpinum is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name alpine sweetvetch.

The Tarsar Marsar Lake trek is a pleasant sight during the summer as we’d encounter with various birds and regional animals. Bar Headed geese, Choughs, Golden eagles, black bulbuls, musk deer, snow leopard, brown bear and also the golden marmot are few to set eyes on and capture there.

Tarsar Marsar Lake trek 7days voyage

The Tarsar Marsar Lake trek is a seven-day voyage, commencing from Srinagar, drive to Aru base camp and finishing at Sumbal on day seven. Tarsar Marsar expedition will take us through some fabulous scenic places in these seven days; Day 1 will begin with Srinagar, a drive to Aru base camp from Pahalgam. The next day we’ll be passing through pretty Gujjar house, Dalla, and Nandkei to Lidderwat. On the 3rd day, our trek would commence from Lidder Riverside base camp and finish at Shekiwas, a stunning meadow base camp. On day 4 and 5, our trek takes us to the wonderful Tarsar Lake to Sundersar Lake, through Sonmasti. We’ll be moving forward to Marsar Lake from Sonmasti and back on day 6. Finally, on day 7 we’d head back to Srinagar via sumbal village.

The Trek is of medium difficulty level and can be accomplished simply without any need of adjustment. Tarsar Marsar Trek is idle during July and Sept.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival at Srinagar Airport. On arrival at Srinagar, you will be met by our representative at the airport and transfer you to the houseboat. During that, you will have the opportunity to check around Srinagar. Overnight stay houseboat.

Day 03: Lidderwat (9,131 ft) to Shekwas (11,039 ft) 5 hours, 6 km The green moors of Shekwas are best experienced bare feet. Try this as you set out for Tarsar Lake. A trek, approx 5-hour long starts today, winding directly up from behind the PDA homes. In a matter of half an hour, you will be finding yourself inside a forest of pines, the Lidder River is now a distant shadow, and the meadows have ebbed away. The woods are not very thick and occasionally open up to wide clearings. we camp at Shekwas the land of shepherds for an overnight stay.

Day 04: Shekwas (11,039 ft) to Tarsar (12,449 ft) 4 hours, 5 km The trail moves through a silken lawn of nature for sometime before finally taking a lunge over a humpbacked hill and after crossing through a few ridges, opens to a little peek of Tarrsar’s magnetic blue waters. You need to cross the stream, jumping from boulder to boulder adventurously before finally gliding into green veldt around the lake where we would camp the night. Sink your feet deep into the soft grass and watch how the almond shaped waters reflects the passing hues of the sky as the day rolls on. Time seems to come to a standstill midst of such beauty and silence. An almond formed crystal clear lake encircled by alpine flowers of each kind. We pitch our tents for an overnight stay.

Day 05: Tarsar – Sundarsar (5 km trek)Another 5 km trek commences today to the adjoining Sundersar Valley through the Tarsar Pass. We delve into a connecting stretch first which apparently joins the meadows of Shekwas and Sundersar Valley. Trekking through the Tarsar Pass is actually a time saving but comparatively more hectic plan than descending to Shekwas first and heading to Sundarsar from there. Proceeding, we follow a brook that gets collected at the feet of snow-melting elevations in the form of a beautiful lake. The entire way is wrapped in a green fold of luminescent softness. You will find an unearthly photo frame capturing sheep and horses bobbing along the green-scape as they graze lazily along the banks of this anonymous loch. Our trail takes us through a high pass exit from this grassland to the next vale, another vast patch of extensive pampas but this one sprayed bright with wildflowers. Later, a bouldered trail over the stream ushers us into the Sundarsar Lake side, a flatland where we can camp at the end of this remarkable day.

Day 06: Visit Marsar and then to HomwasAltitude: 12,946 ft (3,946 m) to 13,201 ft / 4,024 m (Marsar Ridge) to 11,500 ft (3,505 m)Time taken: 7 hours, 9 kmTrail gradient: Moderate. 40 minute ascent to Marsar. Gradual descent all the way to Homwas.Water sources: Carry sufficient water. You can refill your water bottles from a couple of streams dispersed along the trail.

From Sundarsar, skirt around the shores of the lake from the right to get to the far side of the lake. There are two logical passes that one can climb. Both lead to Marsar. The quicker one is over the boulder-laden trail on the left. Climb over the boulders and trace a path towards the pass. Snow over the boulders can make the approach tricky. An ice axe or a trekking pole helps a lot to gain firm footing. It is a half hour climb to the pass. The pass is a lovely grassy stretch that has clear trails leading to flatter grounds just below it. Get down to the flatter stretches and occasionally hop over lovely brooks that run along the trails. Keep to the trail that veers to the left and spot a ridge that climbs on your left and in front. Five minutes later, climb over to the top of the ridge for an amazing view of Marsar almost 600-700 feet below. Marsar is a hidden beauty, almost always engulfed under dollops of clouds and mist. Almost as large as Tarsar, Marsar is similar looking. Tall, snow-lined cliffs rise off the lake. On the left, the overrun waters of the lake run down a lovely green valley towards Traal. On the right, outer edges of the Dachigam reserve forest almost climb up to the shores of the lake. Head back the way you came up to Marsar and get back to Sundarsar in about 40 minutes of descent. At Sundarsar campsite, you have breakfast and start from Homwas. You retrace your steps to Jagmargi valley. Trekkers are extremely lucky to view these grasslands twice and from different directions. Instead of crossing the Tarsar pass, you take a different route to Shekwas. Roughly an hour of walking from Shekwas to Homwas. You are expected to reach Homwas just in time for lunch. You camp at Homwas for the night.

Today you take the same route that you had taken at the beginning of the trek via Lidderwat. The trail goes downhill and it is a quick descent. It will take you 2 hours from Homwas to Lidderwat. The beauty of this part of your trek is that you will get to see all of those views that you had initially missed. The shrinking Kolahoi glacier is one of these sights. You will see the pine forests of Lidderwat that you had seen on day one of your trek in a whole new light. After getting some rest at Lidderwat, you head for Aru.It is a 10 km walk from Lidderwat to Aru. This takes around 4 hours to cover. Stop for lunch en-route, you are expected to reach Aru by 4 in the evening. Vehicles will be arranged from Aru to Srinagar. You will reach Srinagar between 7-8 pm overnight stay Houseboat.

Exclusions:-

1. Hotel stays in Srinagar.

2. Food during the transit.

3. Insurance.

4. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.

5. Something not specifically mentioned under the pinnacle

Srinagar Accommodation: The stay at Srinagar on the last day isn’t included within the trek fee. However we will assist you in booking a hotel or a houseboat for the same, please allow us to know a minimum of 15 days in advance to the start of the trek. Intimation is by email only at info@kashmirmountains.com

Note: normally Kashmir Mountains expect to carry your personal luggage on your own if you do not wish to carry your backpack so you can give it to the porter, but you have to inform us earlier and have to pay Rs. 300/- extra per day per bag.

To book a Trek/ adventure program please use our online booking form or, as an alternative, you can call us on the given for confirmation of tour you have to wire a deposit and initial deposit.

Paying kashmirmountains.com Trek/ adventure activity fee: The fee can be paid by online transfer/check deposit/ demand draft. Instruction for payment will be forwarded along with your confirmation email. Once your transfer is completed, please e-mail us a confirmation email along with your transfer details, so that we can follow up your reservation with efficiency.

When to book: it’s wise to make your booking at least 2 months in advance. However, if you want a decent deal on your domestic/international flight, we recommend organizing your trip at least 5 months in advance. (Please contact us if you require a late booking) .

In the event of cancellation of trek/adventure activity services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reasons, we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges are going to be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would be as follows: –

Cancellations prior to 24 days from the start of the trek Book any other trek till one year or get 95th refund (Note: If the trek charges are more, the balance needs to be paid by the trekker)

Cancellation between 24 days and 14 days to the start of the trek Choose to opt for the same trek, with any other batch, until year or get 70th refund

Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the beginning of the trek Choose to go on the same trek, within the same season, with any other batch or get the 500th refund.

Cancellation less than 10 days to the start of the trek Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend. No cash refund.